YQNA’s Planning and Development Committee is following the exciting square that is planned west of Air Canada Centre. It will hold 4000 people. ACC developers are applying for a permit for a large video screen to entertain the crowds. It would be 11 by 6.4 meters and about 10 meters off the ground. The ACC wants to add amplified sound as well as advertisements from sponsors. In other words, it will be like a giant TV.

The neighbouring Maple Leaf Square appears to have a hotel facing this proposed screen. It could be challenging to have hotel rooms facing this over-sized screen, and the sound would travel upwards into condos and offices above.

Another application for a giant video screen in the same area comes from Maple Leaf Square. When the plans for this huge development were first presented to the public, we were assured that no over-sized video screens would be allowed – and certainly no sound and definitely not giant advertisements. Now they are all popping up. YQNA is working with councillor Pam McConnell on reining in this trend to plaster the Waterfront with giant screens and more noise.